Residents in two Kansas communities are angry over a radio spot for the Kansas Lottery that suggests their towns are boring.
The Kansas Lottery is partnering with several Kansas radio stations to promote its Great Escape Hybrid Doubler tickets. The promotion gives listeners a chance to call in or register online for chances to win the tickets, trips or prizes such as concert tickets or spa treatments.
But WIBW is changing its ad promoting the game after it angered tourism officials in Garden City and Cawker City. Written by staff at the Topeka radio station and approved by the Kansas Lottery, the ad promised a lucky winner two tickets to a Kansas City Royals game and free admission to Worlds of Fun, both in Missouri.
"94.5 Country and the Kansas Lottery considered giving away an intimate rendezvous to Cawker City," the ad said, "but a giant ball of twine just isn't too romantic. So, we decided on a great escape to Kansas City."
It continues: "We also toyed with the idea of a getaway to Garden City, but nobody could actually say that with a straight face," the ad says.
Callie Remschner, director of conventions and tourism in western Kansas' Finney County, isn't laughing. Nor is Linda Clover, caretaker of the ball of twine in Cawker City in north-central Kansas.
"I'm not pleased about it," said Remschner. "We work hard at getting rid of the stigma about western Kansas."
Clover said Cawker City has plenty to offer romance seekers, including a motel across the street from the city's 8,000-pound ball of twine that has hosted newlyweds.
"It's very nice," Clover said. "You'd be surprised."
And she criticized the Kansas Lottery for endorsing a radio spot that promoted Missouri tourism at the expense of Kansas communities.
Larry Riggins, general manager of the WIBW station, said the ad's intent wasn't to offend people. "Sometimes the hand gets ahead of the brain," he said.
Caleb Asher, spokesman for the Kansas Department of Commerce, said citizens should be proud of the state's diverse rural destinations.
"We're a state full of unique attractions, and it is as big as you think," he said.
"We're a state full of unique attractions, and it is as big as you think."
1. What attractions?
2. It is? Looks pretty small on my map.
"We're a state full of unique attractions, and it is as big as you think."
1. What attractions?
2. It is? Looks pretty small on my map.
Fields of grain and corn. A giant ball of twine.... biggest in the world... I've intended to stop and see that..... might have done so, but I can't remember.
What strikes me as odd in this story is that the State of KS has a tourism department. Now, there's a job with some challenge to it.
Jack
All I ever pictured in Kansas is fields and fields of grain. I've never thought of going to Kansas for anything, but just maybe if they had a amusement park with the Wizard of Oz theme I'de come. Who knows, they may already have that but if they do they need more advertising.
All I ever pictured in Kansas is fields and fields of grain. I've never thought of going to Kansas for anything, but just maybe if they had a amusement park with the Wizard of Oz theme I'de come. Who knows, they may already have that but if they do they need more advertising.
They've been trying for a good many years to corral a tornado to put into the KC zoo. I don't believe they've succeeded yet, but they have traps set up all over the state using collections of old mobile homes placed around remote places for bait.
If they manage to get one of those things behind bars I'd be first at the door to buy a ticket.
Jack
I heard that radio spot and about drove off the
road from laughing when I first heard it. Having
lived in Kansas all my life (on the West and East
End), I've got to admit, there aren't many attractions
here that interest many people who live outside the state.
Pretty much, if you like cattle, wheat, good fishing, wide
open spaces, crazy weather, history, and good cooking by
the Mennonites and Mexicans, as well as usually friendly
and hospitable people in the rural areas, you'll like it here.
Most people I've ran into, both insiders and outsiders,
either love it or hate it, there is not much gray area.
NoCompLotto--> Kansas does seem pretty small until you
drive across it.
RipSnorter--> Dont know if you're interested in fishing,
but if you ever make it up to Cawker City, be sure to
stop at Waconda Lake, the fishing is excellent there,
especially in the spring. I've caught several nice
sized Cats at that lake and adjoining streams.
Great place for a hundred mile flat out drag race. YEEEEEEEEEee HAAAAAaaaaaaaa!
lol, four4me. I might have to make a trip to Kansas to do some fishing if it's that good. I'de have to come when it isn't tornado season, isn't that the this week or next week???
I heard that radio spot and about drove off the
road from laughing when I first heard it. Having
lived in Kansas all my life (on the West and East
End), I've got to admit, there aren't many attractions
here that interest many people who live outside the state.
Pretty much, if you like cattle, wheat, good fishing, wide
open spaces, crazy weather, history, and good cooking by
the Mennonites and Mexicans, as well as usually friendly
and hospitable people in the rural areas, you'll like it here.
Most people I've ran into, both insiders and outsiders,
either love it or hate it, there is not much gray area.
NoCompLotto--> Kansas does seem pretty small until you
drive across it.
RipSnorter--> Dont know if you're interested in fishing,
but if you ever make it up to Cawker City, be sure to
stop at Waconda Lake, the fishing is excellent there,
especially in the spring. I've caught several nice
sized Cats at that lake and adjoining streams.
Thanks KS gambler. I'll keep that in mind.
I posted a group of photos on my blog a while back of a nice tourist attraction in KS...... some guy with more plate steel and cutting torch than he feels he needs for other things has a lot of cartoon art standing along the highway denouncing politicians and other people he disapproves of.... big, heavy stuff.
My favorite tourist attraction in KS is out to the west somewhere.... can't recall the name of the town, but it's the home place of the Dalton gang.... tunnel from the house to the barn, all manner of stuff to break highway trance. Visited the place around 1955, then again a year or so ago.... hadn't changed much, except what fascinated me as a kid fascinated me less as a sextogenerian.
KS ain't a bad place, if a person can't live in New Mexico. Generally, good folks living there. But not where a lot of people would go looking for a hot nightlife or Disneyworlds (probably thank goodness in the minds of the people who live there).
Jack
Too bad KS has 2by2 instead of Hot Lotto.
i've been to kansas once.isn't that where they have the mcdonalds on the top of the interstate overpass where you can eat and look below you to see cars.its true believe it or not.....